Switch



April 8,1930. K. WINNING 1,153,977

SWITCH Filed Dec. 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNEY;

April 1930. R. K. WINNING 1,753,977

SWITCH Filed Dec 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .%INVEPNTOR.

A TTORNEYS Patented Apr. 8, 1930 TUNITED STATES PATEN oF IcE ROBERT K.WINNING, or WAUWATOSA, wIscoNsIN, assreNon To CLUM MANUFAG- TUBINGCQMPANY, or MILWAUKEE, wIscoNsIN v swrron This invention relates toimprovements in switches. More particularlystated, this inventionrelates to improvements in switches of the type particularly adapted tocontrol the lighting and ignition circuits of motor vehicles andexemplified by the switch disclosed by me in Reissue Patent No. 16,030,dated March 24, 1925. V

The type of switch to which thisinvention relates includes a relativelyfixed terminal head, with reference to which one or more floatingcontact members are oscillatable for selective engagement with terminalsof the head. It has heretofore been common practice to employ a terminalhead of fiber or like di-electric material, in which the switchterminals are embedded with their extremities substantially flush withone face of the head. Thereby the moving contact member is made totraverse frictionally the exposed surface of the terminal head inpassing from one terminal to another, and it is possible, after longcontinued wear, for minute pieces of conductive metal to become abradedfrom the moving contact member and deposited in the surface fof thefiber terminal head to produce a continuous metallic path betweenterminals.

It is one of the important objects of this in-.

vention to provide in novel and simple form a switch arrangement inwhich the establishment of such a continuous path between terminals willbe obviated. More particularly stated,the purpose of this inventioncontemplates an arrangement in which the terminal contacts will not beset flush with a plane'surface as heretofore, or, to express itdifferently, the terminal head will be so formed as to interposedepressed areas intermediate the terminals in the path of oscillation ofcontactportions of the moving contact member.

A further important object of'this invention is the provision of amoving contact member so organized as to co-operatewith the terminalhead to span the depressed areas 1 ber, the moving contact member havingsegthereof, and thereby to make possible the smooth operation of themoving contact memmental contact surfaces of an arcuate extent adaptedat least to span the depressedareas of the head.

-less expensive terminal than has heretofore A further important objectof this inven-' tion relates to novel and improved meansfor defining thevarious Working positions of the m0vi'ng switch member. It will beunderstood that the said member is operable between an open circuitposition and one or more positions in which it operates to closeelectrical circuits. It is desirable to define such positions by somearrangement for impositively retaining the moving switch member againstoscillation from its selected position or station. In the present devicethe segmental contact portions of the moving switch member arepreferably disposed in a common plane and move smoothly from oneterminal to another across interposed dead terminals when necessary toprovide continuous support. I contemplate, therefore, an arrangementinwnich themoving part of the switch shall include two oppositelypressed members, one of which carries the contacts and v the other ofwhich is formed for impositive interaction with the switch casing in thet selected operative positions of the switch. I have found that by themeans hereinafter disclosed I am able .to shape the casing and' theaforesaid interacting member without additional expense to perform thisadded function, thereby making possible the use of a 5 been employed inswitches of this character. Terminals may be employed which are quitesimilar to those heretofore used, but whereas the terminals shown in myprevious patent referred to above constitute tubes with countersunkrecesses in their extremities, I am now enabled to use unmachined tenninals without such recesses.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a. novel andimproved type of ter- .90 minal, requiring a minimum of material andlabor, and adapted toperform its functions more effectively thanterminals heretofore used. The invention contemplates that the L 4exposed surfaces of'all terminals in a given head. The invention furthercontemplates a terminal having no through apertures or recess. Holesopening through the terminal head areavoided, since they are dapted tocollect dust and dirt and. thereby possible to impair the effectiveoperation of the switch Further objects of. the invention are to providea novel and. improved moving contact switch assembly. and to includemany proved constructional features adapted to member in which thespring seats are formed integrally with the segmental contact porly toattain the aforementioned object'of providing depressions betweenterminals while.

supporting adequately the moving switch contact member; toprovide anovel and improved switch casing; and otherwise to provide a novel andimproved and more compact render. more economical the manufacture ofswitches of this character, and to render such switches more efficientand lasting in their that whether a single or double lever switchoperation. 1

It is a'further object of this invention to provide a novel, improvedandsimplified construction for. a combination ignition and lighting switchwith a single actuating lever. .In the drawings Figures 1 to 4 inclusiveand 18 disclose the adaptation of this invention to a'single lev switchwherein a single lever is used for the simultaneous control of ignitionand lighting circuits, the arrangement being such that in the severalpositions of the lever suitable circuits will'be closed for parkinglights, ignition only, headlights and dimmed headlights, the ignitioncircuit being maintained closedwhen ,the headlights are on.

Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, and 13 show-the adaptation of thisinventionto a double lever switch in which a key is used to control ignition, andthe lights are controlled individually by a separate rganually operablelever.

Figures 9 to 1 clusive, are particularly intended to show partsinterchangeable between these two switches, such parts beingstandardized so be required similar contact devices may be used ineither. h

Figure 1 is a front elevation of assembled switch mechanism embodyingthis invention. Figure 2 is'a detail view on an enlarged scale taken onthe section through the'device.

shown in Figure 1 which is indicated -at 22 in Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a sectiontaken on line'3-3 of. Figure 2. i

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

inclusive, and. 14 to 17,Tin-

. I Figure 5 isa front elevation of a modified typeof-switchembodyingcertain features of this invention." I

Figure ti is a reverse View of the switch casing shown from the front inFigure '5, the rear plate or terminal head ofsuch' casing and thecontact mechanism being removed therefrom.

Figure 7 is a detail view in rear elevation,

of a di-electric annulus adapted to 'be" received into the casing shownin Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detail. in side elevation of the annulus shown in. Figure7.

Figure 9 is a detail view in rear elevation of a contact carrier unitadapted to bekeyopertated and to fit within the casing shown in Figure6. J

Figure 10 is a sideview of the parts-shown in Figure 9, the contactcarrier unit' being whereby it is actuated. I Figure 11 is -a detail inside elevation of a terminal contact such as is preferably used inswitch mechanism embodying this invention. Figure 12 is a plan view ofthe contact shown in Figure 11. i p

Figure 13 is'a front elevation of the termidisassembled from, thedi-electric plate nal headnsedxin connection" with the switch casingshown in Figure 6 showing the ar rangement of the terminal contactstherein. Figure 14 is a rear elevation of a contact unit embodying thisinvention and adapted for use with either of the switches hereindisclosed.

"Figure 15 is a side elevation ofthe device shown in Figure 14. i

Figure 16 is a section taken on line 1616 of Figure 14. b

Figure .17 is a detail view taken on line 171 7 of Figure 4.

Figure 18 is a rear elevation on a reduced scale .of the di-electricdiskwhich supports the contact carriers in the switch shown particularlyin Figures 1, 2 and 4.

Like parts are identified by-the same reference characters throughoutthe several views. The switch casings for the different .switches shownin the above drawings are similar in that each includes a barrel 20, arear terminal head 21, and a front plate 22. The exterior finish of ,thetwo switches is quite different but does not enter into the presentinvention. V I In the single lever switch there is a central erotor orshaft 25 journaled both in the-front wall of the casing and the rearwall of the terminal head thereof. This shaft may be die-cast to provideintegrally a lever 26 whereby the whole comprises a handle for theoperation, of the movable contact devices ings for purposes hereinafterto be described.

' This disk may conveniently be connected or embossed portion 32 of thefront plate 22 of the casing and provided with, rearwa'rdly .projectingtongues at 33 which enter certain I of the openings in the contactactuator 30 and fit sufliciently closely therein to transmit rotativemovement from the handle to the actuator. The metallic plate or disk 31may be splined to the'handle by means of a rib or key 34 on the shaftportion 25 ofthe handle.

At one or more points which are preferably diametrically opposite orarcuately equi-distant from each other and likewise equi-distant fromthe axis of the switch handle, the

front plate 22 of the casing is embossed to provide rearwardlyprojecting protuberances 35 with which a series of openings 36 in thedi-electric actuator are adapted to register during actuator movement.These openings will preferably take the form of holes, as shown, andthey are of a size to receive the protuberances 35. The positions ofholes 36 are such that one of said holes will register simultaneouslywith each of the several protuberances 35.

The interaction of the protuberances and holes has the effect ofyieldably and impositively positioning the actuator 30 in each of theseveral positions orstations to which it is adjustable. The fact thatthe actuator interacts with the front wall of the casing simultaneouslyat arcuately equi-distant points tends to make its operation more smooththan would be the case if the structure were not thus balanced. Thecontacting device's hereinafter to be described include axiallyseparable members, and interposed springs, an are thus adapted to pressthe actuator 30 in the direction of front plat'e 22 of the casing. Thesprings of these contact devices are consequently subjected tocompression when the protuberances ride'out of their respectiveapertures 36.

In addition to the compression of the springs in the contact devices theoutward or rearward axial movement of the actuator 30 is additionallyopposed by a compression spring 37 seated at its forward end against awasher 38 hearing on the di-electric actuator disk 30 and seated at.itsrearward end against a washer 39 which is fixed onshaft 25 by lugs 40.The washer has radial grooves 41 which receive the lugs in a manner tosecure the washer against undesired independent rotation; Intermediatethese grooves are notches 42 in the inner periphery of the washer, suchnotches being adapted to permit the passage of lugs when the washer ismanipulated to bring the notches into registry with such lugs. Ashoulder at 43 supports the metallic connecting member 31 and thedi-electric disk 30 against undue axial thrust so that the frictionalcontact of these parts with the front plate 22 of the casing is not toogreat.

Before describing the standardized contacting devices carried by thedi-electric actuator disk 30 I wish to refer to the terminal head .orrear wall-of thecasing which embodies some unusual features. Theterminal head 21 is a disk made of fiber or other suitable di-electricmaterial in order that the terminal contacts positioned therein may benrutually insulated. The terminal contacts themselves are novel inasmuchas they com prise, L-shaped pieces, of strip metal, each of which has acontact portion 45 at right angles to a shank portion 46 which extendsthroughthe-tiber disk. The contact portion 45 is disposed in fiatfacecontact with the inner surface of the terminal head and is upset tooccupy this position after it has been introduced through the fiberdisk. The extremity 47 of the shank portion of each terminal contact iswidened, as best shown in Figure 12, to provide shoulders 48 which abutthe outer surface of the terminal head and co-operate with the contactportion 45 clampingly to engage the terminal head. Any convenient meansmay be used for securing conductors to the terminals 47, but among thesimplest means for this purpose is a tapped aperture 49 adapted toreceive a screw 50.

Suitably positioned intermediate the contact portions 45, are supportingmembers or dead terminals 55. -It is immaterial whether these terminalsare made of metal or of dielectric material, since in practice they arenot connected with any circuits. They can be very economically madeintegrally with d the'terminal head 21 by punching partially 2. Theforward projection of each such dead terminal or support above theadjacent plane surface of the terminal head corresponds in height to thethickness of the strip metal used in the construction of thetern'iinalcontacts. Thus, the contact surfaces 45 and the several intermediatesupports are brought substantially to a common plane in which thecontact surfaces of the movable switch devices operate.

In practice the severalterminal contacts and intermediate supports willbe arranged about the inner surface of the terminal head in twoconcentric arcuate series, as shown in Figure 3. The outer series ofterminals is adapted for connection with the lighting circuits of anautomobile and one or more terminals of such series will, of course, beconnected with a source of electrical energy. The

may be connected to a source of electrical energy and the other to atransformer which is operatively associated with the spark plugs of thevehicle.

In this particular switch there are two entirely separate contactdevices which co-operate respectively with the lighting terminals in theouter concentric series and with the ignition terminals in the innerconcentric series. The use of two entirely separate moving contactdevices 1n a single lever switch is important'in that the arrangement issuch as to ing contact devices.

make possible the use in this switch of the same contact devices whichare used in the double lever switch. Thereby standardiz a-- tion iseffected with corresponding economies tuator disk 30. In its innerperiphery the ring 57 is-provided with integrally formed fingers 62which extend rearwardly and are upset at 63, as clearly shown in Figures14: and 16.

These fingers are received in suitable openings or notches 64in. annulus58 and are consequently adapted to guide annulus 58 for movementto andfrom annulus 57. The upset portions 63 of these fingers are adapted tolimit the degree of relative separation between the annuli. l I

Annulus 58 is the active contact portion of the switch and consequentlyis made of conductive material. It preferably comprises a complete ringrendered rigid by means of a circumferential rib 65 intermediate itsinner and outer peripheries. At intervals this rib runs out in the moredeeply embossed contact elements 66, each of which has a considerableextent arcuately, or in the direction of oscillation of the ring towhich it is attached. In this particular embodiment of the inventioneach of the contact elements 66 has a-substantially plane surface whichis farther from the adjacent portions of ring 58 than is the top of therib 65. A part of each contact 66 is radially extended as at 67 toprovide a seat for a compression spring-68 positioned therebeneath andconfined between annuli 57 and 58. To position each such spring withreference to annulus 57 such veniently be provided with I an integrallystamped tubular stud 69.

Since the two annuli 57 and 58 are freely movable toward each other,guided and secured against undue separation by fingers 62,

and inasmuch as the compression of'springs' 68 normally maintain theannuli at their limit annulus may con-' of relative separation, it willbe obvious that the entire annular contact device may be unitarilyhandledand assembled. The tongues 59 are adapted to permit of thefreefengage ment of this device with any form of actuator which isprovided with suitable apers tures for the reception of the tongues.

The ignition, contact device is positioned concentrically within theinterior of the an nular lighting contact device. The ignition devicecomprises a metallic disk 57 which morresponds functionally with theannulus 57 above described. A like disk 58 corresponds functionally withannulus 58. Fingers 62 having upset extremities 63 are integrallyconnected with the outer of disk 57 and engage disk 58for the guidanceand limitation of movement thereof. Disk 58,which is really centrallyapertured and consequently is a miniature annulus like annulus 58, hasembossed contacts 66, which periphery corresponds with those alreadydescribed with the exception that the radial enlargements 67 for springs68 are at the inner sides of the contacts instead of on their outersides.

Tongues 59 serveto connect the entire uni- 7 tongues.

In both the ignition and lighting contact devices it is possible toanchor such devices for rotation with a suitable actuator by the meansdisclosed in Figure 17, wherein the lower annulus or disk 157 isdownwardly embossed at 159 to provide thereby not only means forengaging a suitable aperture 160 in the actuator 30 but also to providea seat 4 within which the lower receivable. The upper end of the springis illustrated as being engaged in the pocket 67.,of a contact element66 'on the ignition lighting ring 58. v

The arcuate extent of the contact surfaces in the two separate movingcontact devices is such as to span the depressions which exist betweenthe relatively elevated stationary contacts or live terminals 45 and thesupports or dead terminals55. This construction has the very importantadvantage that it becomes impossible for the moving contacts to embedmetallic particles in the terminal head in such a way as to establish aleakage path between the live terminal contacts 45. Obviously, themoving contact surfaces 66 do not touch the depressed portions of theterminal head intermediate the terminals, and, consequently, there canbe no establishment of metallic paths across the terminal head.

I regard as a very important feature of this invention the arrangementjust described, whereby the contact portions of the contactor taryignition contact device with any suitable actuator provided withopenings for said end of spring 68 is ring are arranged to span therelatively defor tangibly defining the several switch positions througha yieldable interaction of the switch casing and the contact actuator.

I will now describe the arrangement whereby the standardized movingcontact devices may be used in a double lever switch. For purposes ofillustration I have selected a switch in which a-hand lever rotatablysecured to the front of the switch casing controls the lighting, contactdevice, and aremovable lever or key operates a plug connect.- ed to theignition contact device.- Such arrangements are well known and are shownin the reissue patent above referred to and, consequently, need not bedescribed in detail herein. The key plug 76 has a squared extremity 77which is receivable into thecorresponding aperture78 of the ignitioncontact actuator 79. The standardized ignition contact device is adaptedto be fixed upon the face of actuator 79 by means of tongues 59 such ashave already been described. These are the same tongues which in thesingle lever switch engage the disk 30.

The front plate 22 of .the switch casing, as shown in Figure 6, hasarcuate slots 81 through which project tongues 82 stamped integrallywith the'lever member 75. These tongues are arranged to engage suitableopenings 83 in the lighting switch actuator 84.

\ This'actuator is an annulus corresponding to functionally to theopenings 60 in the actuator 30 shown in Figure 18 and which areadaptedto receive the forwardly projecting tongues 59 which are clearly shownin Figures 15 and 16 on the standardized lighting contact device.

As shownin Figure 13 the terminal head used in connection with thedouble lever switch is similar to that illustrated in Figure ,3 for usein the single lever switch. It is obvious, however, that any suitablearrangement of the terminal contacts may be adopted in accordance withthe requirements which the switch has to meet. It is unnecessary,therefore, to describe with particularity the various circuits to whichthe several terminal contacts are respectively connected. In Fig-' ure13 I have illustrated the terminal contacts as being made in accordancewith the disclosure in my reissue patent aforesaid. In

other words, the terminal contacts in this device may be tubular insteadof benig made of sheet metal as are the terminal contacts illustrated inFigures 3, 11 and 12. Lhave so illustrated these terminals to make itclear that the particular type of terminals used does not affect theoperation of a switch wherein the contact elements span the depressedareas between'terminals'in the manner contemplated by this invention.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that the double leverswitch, parts of which are illustrated in Figures 5. to 10, in-

principle from thesingle lever switch-so far as the various features ofthis invention are elusive and 13, does not differ materially in hereinmay be interchangeably mounted upon of a plurality of strip terminalsextending through said head in arcuate series and having contactportions disposed flat against said head, and a di-electric supportconnected with said head and projecting therefrom to a distancesubstantially equal to the thickness of said contact portions of saidterminals and disposed in the arc of said series of terminals andbetween two of'said termlnals. v I

axially embossed segmental contact portions, I

2. In a device of the character described. the combination wtih adi-electric terminal head having substantially parallel inner and .outerfaces, of a terminal comprising a terminal portion shouldered to abutsaid outer face and projecting therebeyond with provision of means forfastening a conductor thereto, a connecting portion extending throughsaid head, and a contact portion substantially at right angles to saidconnecting I portion and lying flat against said inner face 1 comprisinga spring seat.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switchcasing provided with a plurality of terminals, a handle mounted foroscillation with respect to said terminals, and a di-electric plateconnected with saidhandle for oscillationtherewith and provided withrecesses, of a moving contact --unit loosely mounted on said plateand'confined between said plate and said terminals, said unit includinga metal annulus having a tongue-engaging an aperture of said platewhereby to receive oscillatory movement therefrom, and a second annulusresiliently supported from said first annulus and pro-,

vided at circumferentially spaced points with contact portions adaptedfor interactionwith said terminals, one of said annuli being providedwith axially extending limiting and guiding means engaging the other ofsaid annuli, said means being adapted to transmit oscillatory movementbetween said annuli and to confine said annuli against a separationgreatly exceeding their normal spacing when confined between said plateand said terminals, and said annuli and said means being freelyremovable unitarily from said plate.

6. In a device of the character described,

' the combination with a handle mounted-for oscillation and a pluralityof relatively stationaryterminals mounted in a plurality of arcsconcentric with the axis of oscillation of saidhandle and having contactsurfaces sub stantially in a common plane, a (Ii-electric plateconnected with said handle for'oscillation therewith in substantialparallelism to 'said plane, and a plurality of annular concentricfloating contact 'members individually supported resiliently from saidplate and said terminals, said contact members being insulated from eachother by said plate and bemg'adapted respectively for interaction withthe terminals in different arcuate series.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with aterminal head provided in concentric arcuate series with terminalssubstantially in a common plane, of a manually operable rotor supportedadjacent said head, and concentrically disposed movable contactorsresiliently supported from said rotor and insulated from each other,

' said contactors being disposed respectively for operative engagementwith the terminals I of said series.

8. In a device of the character described,

support member and a contact member with interposed springs adaptedtofioat said contact member from said support member, said di-electricactuator being assembled unitarily with said casing and the members ofeach contactor being assembled together for a unitary mounting upon andremoval from said actuator.

9. A combination switch comprising a terminal head provided withlighting and igni tion terminals in separate arcuate series, a singlemanually operable actuator and a plurality of contactors carried by theactuator and positioned respectively for operative engagement with thelighting and ignition terminals of said head 1n selected OOSltlOIlS ofsaid actuator, and means impositively engageable with said actuator andadapted yieldably to define said positions.

' 10. In a "device of the character described, the combination. with aswitch casing including a terminal head provided on its face with aplurality of series of terminals in concentric arrangement at differingradii, of a single manually operable actuator disk oscillatory withrespect to said casing and disposed therewithin, and contact devicesindepencl,

ently supported from said actuator and adapted respectively forengagement with difierent series of terminals in selected positions ofoscillation of said actuator, said actuator and a portion of said casingbeing formed for impositive interaction in said positions, whereby todefine them tangibly.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with twoconcentric annular switching devices having a common actuator supportingthem for substantially planar movement, of separate sets of terminalsfor said switching devices, the terminals in said sets being arranged tobe contacted by said devices in corresponding positions thereofthroughout a plurality of successive positions of said actuator, andimpositive positioning means for defining tangibly the several positionsof said actuator in which said switching devices are operativelycontacting the terminals of their several sets, said actuator disk andsaid means being formed for interaction and mounted for bodily,relative, yielding movement.

- the combination with a switch casing provid-- 12. In a device of thecharacter described,

said head, a switching mechanism within said casing, and meansimpositively defining a plurality of stations for said mechanism, saidmechanism including contact devices independently supported therefromand simultaneously movable therewith, said devices including contactportions arranged substantially in a common plane and adapted at each ofa plurality of said stations to engage simultaneously selected terminalsin the severalseries with whichthey are respectively associated.

13. In a device of the character described,

the combination with'a terminal head having termlnals thereon, of aplate substantially parallel to said head, a manually operable .actuatorincluding a disk movable adjacent formed to provide a pluralityofarcuately spaced interacting recesses and protuberances and beingrelatively yieldable whereby to define tangibly saidpositions.

14. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a casing, a contact acmeans for said actuatorcomprisingtwo parts tuator therein, and a contact element supportedtherefrom; of impositive positioning positioned at diametricallyopposite sides of sa1d casing and adapted simultaneously to I resist therotation of said actuator.

- 15. In a device of-the character described, the comblnation with'acasing having a front plate and a terminal 'head providing suitablearcuate' serles of terminals,- of switching mechanism within said casingcomprising an actuator havlng a di-electric plate adjacent said frontplate, contact mechanism connected with said actuator for rotationtherewith about a given axis in said casing and operatively associatedwith said terminals, and balanced means for impositively but tangiblydefining selected positions of said actuator,

.said means comprising diametrically opposite protuberances upon one ofsaid plates and a series of recesses complementary to said protuberancesupon the other of said plates.

16. In a device of the character described,

about a given axis in said casing and operatively associated with saidterminals, and balanced means for impositively but tangibly definingselected positions of said actuator, said means comprising diametricallyopposite pro tuberances upon one of said plates and a series of recessescomplementary to said protuberances upon the other of said plates,together with means for resiliently pressing said dielectric plate inthe direction of said front plate. I a

17. In a device of the character described, the combination with aswitch casing providing a front plate and a terminal head having aplurality of concentric series of terminals, of a switch actuatorcomprising a handle extending through said front plate and a dielectricplate connected for rotation with said handle and in face contact withsaid front plate, said front plate having a set of circumferentiallyequidistant protuberances and said di-electric plate having acircumferential series of apertures complementary to said protuberancesand so positioned that two opposite apertures will be simultaneouslyengaged by said protuberances in each of a plurality of positions ofsaid actuator, and contact devices interposed between said. actuator andsaid terminal head.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination with aswitch casing providing a front plate and a terminal head having aplurality of concentric series of terminals, of a switch actuatorcomprising a handle extending through said front plate and a dielectricplate connected for rotation with said handle and in face contact withsaid front plate, said front plate having a set of circumferentiallyequidistant protuberances and said di-electric plate having acircumferential series of apertures complementary to said protuberancesand so positioned that two op- 1 posite apertures will be simultaneouslyengaged by said protuberances ineach of-a plurality of positions of saidactuator, and contact devices interposed between said. actuator and saidterminal head, said contact devices comprising concentric conductiveelements independently resiliently supported from said di-electric plateand adapted respectively for contact with terminals of different series.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination with aterminal head and a front plate spaced therefrom, of a handle supportedfor oscillation with reference to said front plate and projectingtherethrough, a di-electric plate mounted between said front plate andsaid terminal head and connected with said handle for oscillationtherewith, a spring pressing said di-electric plate in the direction ofsaid front plate, and a switch contactor supported from said di-electricplate for movement in operative relation to said terminal head, one ofsaid plates being formed with protuberances and the other with aperturesadaptedfor registry therewith in a selected position of said di-electricplate.

20. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a terminal head and ,a

e front plate spaced therefrom, of a switch handle supported foroscillation with respect to .said front plate, an actuating platemounted adjacent said front plate between it and said terminal head andconnected with said handle, and a switch contactor supported from saidactuating plate in operative" relation to said'terminal head, one ofsaid plates being formed with a recess and the other with a protuberanceadapted in one position of oscillation of said handle to register withsaid recess, whereby impositively to define saidposition.

21. In a device of the character described, the combination with aplurality-of switch terminals, a plate in spaced relation thereto, and ahandle supported for oscillation; adjacent said terminals and extendingthrough said plate; of an actuating plate connected with said handle,disposed between said first mentioned plate and said terminals andprovided with a plurality of recesses in a seriesconcentrlc to the axisof oscillation of said,

handle; a member protruding from said first mentioned plate adapted inselected positions of said handle for impositive engagement with therecesses of saidactuating plate; a

switch device adapted in one of said positions for engagement with aselected terminal; and

a compression spring interposed between said switch device and saidactuating plate and adapted to press said device in the direction ofsaid terminaland to press said actuating plate in the directionof'saidmember.

22. In a device of the character described, a contact device comprisinga pair of metallic annuli, one of which is provided with peripheralnotches and'the-other of which is provided with peripheral tonguescomplemezr tary to said notches and upsetat their extremities'toengageunnotched portions of the other annulus, together with springs intervposedbetween said annuli and adaptedto maintain them at'the separationpermitted by said tongues.

23. Switch "mechanism including a pair of annuli, springs interposedbetween said'an- 'nuli and tongues formed in the periphery of one ofsaid annuli and extending axially therefrom to provide-guides for'theother front plate, an actuating member connectedwith said handle andprovided with tongues engaging openings in said di-elec-tric eles nient,and a contact device provided with tongues engaging openings in saiddi-electric element whereby to receive motion therethrough from saidhandle. a

25. In a device of the character described,- the combination with ,aswitch casing having a front plate, of adi -electric elementadjacentsaidfront plate within said casing and provided with openings, ahandle concentric with said element and extending through said frontplate, an actuating member con-' nected with said handle and providedwith tongues engaging openings in said di-electric j element, and acontact device provided with tongues engaging openings in saiddi-electrlc element whereby to receive motion therethrough from saidhandle, said contact device comprisinga pair of metallic members andinterposed springs in unitary connection.

26. In a device of the character described, the combination with aswitch casing having'a front plate, of a di-electric element adjacentsaid front plate within said casing and provided with openings, a handleconcentric with said .element and extending throughsaid front plate, anactuating member connected. with said handle and provided with tonguesengaging openings in said di-electric element, and a contact devlceprovided with tongues engaging openings insaid di-electric elementwhereby to receive motion therethrough from said handle, said contactdevice comprising a pair of metallic' members and interposed springs inunitary connection adapted to maintain said di-electric element underpressure exerted toward said front plate, said element and front platebeing provided respectively with interacting apertures and protuberancesadapted impositively to define selected positions of said element.

27 The combination with acasing having a front plate anda handleextending therethrough and rotatable thereimthe portion'of outwardlycountersunk, of an actuating de-f and provided with rearwardly'projecting tongues, adi-electrid element having apertures receiving saidtongues arfil having its vice positioned inithecountersunk portion ofsaid front plate connected, with said handle outer portion in facecontact witlr the outer portion of said front plate, and switchingmechanism mounted at the rear of'said dielectric element and including apart havelementat the-opposite side of said element from said actuatingdevice, whereby to re- -ceive motion through said element andsaidactuating device from said handle.

' 28. The combination with a casing having a front plate'and a-handleextending therethrough and rotatable therein, the portionof f said frontplate adjacent said handle being ing tongues receivable in apertures ofsaid 110 said front plate adjacent said handlebeing outwardlycountersunk, of an actuating device positioned in the countersunkportion of said front plate connected with said handle and provided withrearwardly projecting tongues, a di-electric element having aperturesreceiving said tongues and having its outer portion in face contact withthe outer portion of said front plate, and switching mechanism mountedat the rear of said dielectric element and including a part havingtongues receivable in apertures of said element at the opposite side ofsaid element from said actuating device, whereby to receive mo: tionthrough said element andsaid actuating device from said handle, saiddielectric element and said front plate being formed for impositiveinteraction in selected positions of said element.

29. The combination with a casing having a front plate and a handleextending therethrough and rotatable therein, the portion of said frontplate adjacent said handle being outwardly countersunk, of an actuatingdevice positioned in the countersunk portion of said front plateconnected with said handle and provided with rearwa-rdly projectingtongues, a di-electric element having apertures receiving said tonguesand having its outer portion in face contact with the outer portion ofsaid front plate, and switching mechanism mounted at the rear of saiddielectric element and including a part having tongues receivable inapertures of said element at the opposite side of said element from saidactuating device, whereby to receive motion through said element andsaid actuating device from said handle, said dielectric element and saidfront plate being formed for impositive interaction in selectedpositions of said element, said switching mechanism comprising aplurality of contact devices separately mounted on said dielectricelement for mutual insulation and positioned to contact separate seriesof terminals in said casing.

30. In a device-of the character described, the combination with aswitch casinghaving a di-electric terminal head at its rear and having aplate in spaced relation to said head provided with an embossedprotuberance, of a handle supported for oscillation with, respect tosaid casing and projecting through said plate, a di-electric disk insplined connection with said handle and disposed between said plate andsaid head,'said disk being provided with a plurality of recesses adaptedin selected positions of said handle for registry with saidprotuberance, and a plurality of concentric switch devices confinedbetween said di-electric disk and said head and each including a pair ofinterconbeing loosely engaged with said disk for oscillation therewith.

31 In a device of the character described, the combination with a switchcasing having a front plate provided with an axially em-. bossedprotuberance, of a handle mounted for oscillation with respect to saidcasing andextending through said plate, a connecting member splined tosaid handle and pro vided with axially projecting lugs, a di-electriodisk provided with recesses adapted to receive said lugs whereby toconnect said disk with said handle for oscillation and provided with aseries of recesses adapted in selected positions of oscillation of saidhandle to register with said protuberance, means for confining said diskyieldably against said plate, and a contactor connected with said diskfor oscillation therewith.

32. In a device of the character described, the combination with aswitch casing having a front plate provided with an axially embossedprotuberance, of a handle mounted foroscillation with respect to saidcasing and extending through said plate, a connectvided with axiallyprojecting lugs, a di-electric disk provided with recesses adapted toreceive said lugs whereby to connect said disk with said handle foroscillation and provided with a series of recesses adapted in selectedpositions of oscillation of said handle to register with saidprotuberance, means lng member splined to said handle and proing saiddisk and with axially projecting fingers and provided with a contactannulus guided by said fingers and springs confined between said annuli.

33. In a device of the character described,-

supporting members projecting from said head intermediate saidterminals, of a handle mounted for oscillation with respect to saidcasing and projecting through said front plate, a di-electric plate insplined relation to said handle and between said front plate and head,one of said ,plates being formed with protuberances and the other withrecesses adapted for impositive interaction, a plurality of arcuatelyextending contactors independently floated from said di-electric plateand adapted respectively to interact with different terminals-of saidhead, and springs interposed between said contactors and said lastmentioned plate, whereby to urge said contactors and said last mentionedplate yieldably in opposite directions within said casing.

34'. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a switch casing in- I handle mounted foroscillationwith respect to said casing and projecting through said front plate, adi-electric plate in splined relation to said handle and between saidfront plate and head, one of said plates being formed with protuberancesand the other with recesses adapted for impositive interaction, aplurality of arcuately extending contactors independently floated fromsaid dielectric pla'teand adapted respectively to interact withdifferent terminals of said head, and springs interposed between saidcontactors and said last anentioned plate, whereby to urge saidcontactors and said last mentioned plate yieldably in oppositedirections within said casing, said head being provided with depressedareas intermediate said terminals and said supporting members and saidcontactors being each provided with an arcuately extending contactsurface of sufficient length to span said areas.

35. In a device of the character described, a moving contactor unitcomprising spaced supporting and contacting annuli, said contactingannuli being provided with embossed segmental contact elements havingradially enlarged portions intermediate their ends comprising springseats, and said supporting annulus having portions upwardly embossed tocomprise a stud spring seat, together with v springs positioned betweensaid studs and receivedwithin the seats of said co supporting andcontacting annuli, said con-- 'tacting annuli being provided withembossed segmental contact elements' having radially enlarged portionsintermediate their ends comprising spring seats, and said supportingannulus having portions upwardly embossed to comprise a stud springseat, together with springspositioned between said studs and receivedwithin the seats of said contactor and annulus; one of said annuli beingprovided adjacent its margin with recesses and the other of said annulibeing provided with axially extending fingers engaging in said recessesandprovided with upset portions adapted to retain said annuli. in spacedrelation against the compression of said springs.

37. A switch contact device comprising a pair of spaced metallic plates,tongues carried by one plate for guidance thereof in movement to andfrom the first plate and to limit the separation of said plates, springsinterposed between said plates, embossed tubular elements integral withone of said ntactor plates and providing positioning posts for saidsprings.

' 38. In a switch, the combination with a movable contactor havingembossed contact portions, of a di-electric terminal head provided withspaced embossed supports constituting dead terminals adapted to carrysaid contact portions, and a live terminal intermediate two of said deadterminals, said con tegrally a set of supports inwardly projecting fromthe face of said disk.

41. A switch casing comprising a cylindrical bod having adi-electricdisk at its rear, said isk being embossed to provideintegrally a set of supports inwardly projecting from the face of saiddisk, said disk carrying a set of live terminals arranged in commonseries with said supports and each including a strip of metal of athickness equal to the projection of said supports, said strip having aportion bent fiat against the inner face of said disk and having anotherportion extending through said disk and shouldered for engagementexternally therewith.

ROBERT K. WINNING.

